The American Council of the Blind (ACB) and its Audio Description Project broadcast the 6th Annual Audio Description Awards Gala on November 12, 2026, honoring excellence and innovation in audio description (AD) across genres and platforms. The event, hosted by performers Marilee Talkington and Ben Mehl, recognized creators and innovators transforming how audiences engage with media.
Awards were presented across a wide range of categories, reflecting the expanding reach of audio description. Tom Wlodkowski of Comcast received the AD Media Leader award, while Dr. Maria-Victoria Diaz of Dicapta was recognized as AD Production Leader. Kinetic Light won for Innovation, Tempo Lab Games for Gaming, and The Walt Disney Company for Popular Entertainment. FIFA World Cup 2026, Inc. was honored for Live Events, KnowBe4 for Education, and Dr. Juan Mundel and Dr. Edward Timke for Advertising and Promotion. PBS Kids received the Spanish Media (USA) award, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation was recognized for International work, and Audio Description Training Retreats for Talent Promotion. Darla Biccum won for Writing and Nicol Zanzarella for Voicing. The People's Choice Awards went to Happy Gilmore 2 (film) and Stranger Things (series).
The gala included presenters and special guests such as actors, authors, advocates, and influencers Lori Samuels, Alie B. Gorrie, Chad Allen, David Clarke OBE, Dr. Amy Kavanagh, Mike Hess, Dr. Cynthia Bennett, Hannah Weymouth, Dr. Conchita Hernandez Legorreta, Shawn Marsolais, Stephen Kuusisto, and Ren Leach. Their participation underscored the broad coalition supporting accessibility in entertainment and media.
This year's gala exemplifies how creativity and technology can merge to make the arts more inclusive for everyone. The broadcast itself was fully accessible, featuring open captions, open audio description, American Sign Language interpretation, and Spanish dubbing, captions, and audio description. This commitment to accessibility ensures that the celebration of audio description is itself a model of inclusive production.
The implications of these awards extend beyond the honorees. Audio description is vital for blind and low-vision audiences to fully experience films, television, live events, and games. By recognizing leaders across media, gaming, education, and international broadcasting, the ACB highlights the growing demand for accessible content and the innovation driving it. For the industry, these awards signal that accessibility is not a niche concern but an integral part of media production and audience engagement. As streaming platforms and live events reach global audiences, the work of honorees like Disney, Comcast, and the CBC demonstrates that investing in audio description can enhance reach and inclusivity.
The recording of the gala is available on ACB's YouTube channel, ADAwardsGala.org, and Peacock, courtesy NBCUniversal (subscription required; available through December 31, 2026). For more information about the American Council of the Blind and its mission to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life for people who are blind or have low vision, visit www.acb.org.
